10 Mistakes That Lead to Overeating

Stop these destructive habits now to save your waistline

If you often feel uncomfortably full after a meal, it's time to make some changes. Tackle your overeating issues for good by getting honest and asking yourself if any of these habits are holding you back from having a healthy relationship with food.

1. You Skip Breakfast
Skipping breakfast may seem like a great way to save calories, but when you head to your next meal, you'll be far more likely to gorge yourself on whatever's in sight. If you never seem to have time to cook a healthy breakfast, plan ahead and cook up one of these healthy make-ahead recipes.

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2. You Eat By a Screen
Always chowing down in front of the TV or computer causes most people to overeat since they're not connected to the activity of eating. When your mind is focused on the plot of your show or all those e-mails, it's significantly harder to focus on how full you feel. Designate mealtimes for just that: meals. The tube will still be there once you're done.

3. You Don't Practice Portion Control
Either order a limited amount of food, be mindful about how you're feeling as you eat, or take Jillian Michaels's extreme tip and just throw away leftovers. Hopefully you have enough self-control to take a step back and say no to that second enormous slice of pizza, but do whatever works for you.

4. You Confuse Hunger and Thirst
Many people confuse the sensation of thirst for hunger. If you've recently eaten and you're feeling unsatisfied, take this advice from Mara Z. Vitolins, R.D., and Wake Forest assistant professor of public health sciences: "It's hard to distinguish between being thirsty and being hungry, so try drinking water and waiting 20 to 30 minutes to see if you're still hungry."

5. You Eat For Your Partner's Needs
When your partner isn't concerned about overeating, it can be hard to stay connected to your healthy-eating goals. Cynthia Sass, M.P.H., R.D., has a helpful tip for when you're cooking at home: "We'll have similar ingredients, but make different things. I have to make peace with the fact that we don't have the same needs or maybe we're not on the same page as far as our goal." For example, on taco night, Sass enjoys a healthy taco salad with avocado and pico de gallo, while her husband goes for a big burrito with all the fixings.